Odisha heavy rain alert: IMD warns of intensified rainfall from Aug 29
Synopsis
A developing low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal is set to intensify Odisha's monsoon from 29 August, with the IMD issuing an orange alert for Baleshwar and Mayurbhanj. The system is expected to stay active into early September — a prolonged spell that could strain flood-prone northern districts already under elevated river levels.
Key Takeaways
IMD Bhubaneswar forecast widespread rainfall across Odisha for the next five to seven days from 27 August .
A low-pressure area is likely to develop over the northwest Bay of Bengal around 28–29 August , intensifying the monsoon system.
An orange alert has been issued for Baleshwar and Mayurbhanj districts, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours .
Northern Odisha districts are expected to receive the most significant rainfall during this period.
The active weather system is projected to persist through the first few days of September .
Residents have been advised to follow local administration advisories and remain alert to weather warnings.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bhubaneswar, on Thursday, 27 August forecast widespread rainfall across Odisha over the next five to seven days, driven by an active monsoon system and a low-pressure area developing over the Bay of Bengal. The weather agency has issued an orange alert for parts of northern Odisha, flagging the risk of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the coming days.
The Weather System Behind the Warning
IMD Director Manorama Mohanty said an upper air cyclonic circulation is currently extending from the lower to middle tropospheric levels over the region. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to develop over the northwest Bay of Bengal around 28–29 August, which is expected to trigger intensified and widespread rainfall activity across the state.
This is a significant development in the monsoon calendar for Odisha, which sits directly in the path of Bay of Bengal weather systems and has historically experienced severe flooding during such episodes.
Orange Alert for Baleshwar and Mayurbhanj
For the immediate 24-hour period, the IMD forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers at many places, with isolated heavy rainfall in select districts. An orange warning has been issued predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall at one or two places in Baleshwar and Mayurbhanj districts.
Notably, both districts are in northern Odisha — a zone the IMD specifically identified as likely to bear the brunt of the intensifying system. The orange alert signals that residents and local authorities should be prepared for disruptive rainfall and potential waterlogging or flooding.
Rainfall to Intensify From August 29
According to Mohanty, rainfall activity is expected to pick up significantly from 29 August, with heavy to very heavy rainfall possible in isolated locations across several parts of the state. The weather system is projected to remain active through the first few days of September, bringing continued widespread rainfall to many parts of Odisha.
This extended active spell comes at a time when the state's rivers are already running at elevated levels following earlier monsoon rains, raising the risk of flash floods and agricultural disruption in low-lying areas.
IMD Advisory to Residents
The IMD has advised residents to remain alert to weather warnings, particularly in districts likely to receive heavy rainfall, and to follow all advisories issued by local administration. Authorities in high-risk districts have been urged to keep disaster response teams on standby.
With the low-pressure system yet to fully consolidate, the IMD is expected to update its forecasts over the next 24 to 48 hours as the situation evolves.
Point of View
And northern districts like Baleshwar and Mayurbhanj are perennially in the crosshairs. What makes this forecast noteworthy is the projected duration: a system active through early September means little recovery time between rainfall spells, compounding flood risk in areas where rivers are already elevated. The IMD's orange alert is a calibrated signal, but the real test is local administration response time — early evacuation and pre-positioning of relief materials in vulnerable pockets will determine whether this becomes a managed weather event or a humanitarian emergency.
NationPress
27 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has the IMD forecast for Odisha from 29 August?
The IMD has forecast intensified and widespread rainfall across Odisha from 29 August, driven by a low-pressure area developing over the northwest Bay of Bengal. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in isolated locations, with the system likely to remain active through early September.
Which districts are under an orange alert in Odisha?
The IMD has issued an orange alert for Baleshwar and Mayurbhanj districts in northern Odisha, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall at one or two places within the next 24 hours from 27 August.
What is causing the heavy rainfall in Odisha?
The rainfall is being triggered by an upper air cyclonic circulation extending from the lower to middle tropospheric levels, under the influence of which a low-pressure area is expected to develop over the northwest Bay of Bengal around 28–29 August.
How long will the active monsoon spell last in Odisha?
According to the IMD, the weather system is likely to remain active through the first few days of September, bringing continued widespread and heavy rainfall to many parts of Odisha.
What precautions has the IMD advised for Odisha residents?
The IMD has advised people to remain alert to weather warnings, especially in areas likely to receive heavy rainfall, and to follow all advisories issued by local administration. Disaster response preparedness has been flagged as a priority for high-risk districts.
